Goal of Therapy: When the unstable wrist lacks full ROM EMERGING STRATEGIES FOR REHABILITATION OF CARPAL INSTABILITY

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1 EMERGING STRATEGIES FOR REHABILITATION OF CARPAL INSTABILITY Terri Skirven, OTR/L, CHT The Philadelphia & South Jersey Hand Centers, P.C. Goal of Therapy: A stable, symptom free wrist capable of withstanding the forces involved in the activities that the individual needs to perform for work, leisure and other ADLs When the unstable wrist lacks full ROM Goals for ROM dictated by Patient s functional requirements Limits of the condition and/or procedure NOT Arbitrary ROM goals which approach what is considered normal 1

2 Functional motion Wrist ROM adequate for function Palmer et al: 5 flex. & 30 ext.; 10 rd & 15 ud Dart Thrower s motion used to perform many of the tasks studied Ryu et al: 40 flex. & 40 ext.; 10 rd & 30 ud Brumfield et al: 10 flex & 35 ext Foundation for Rehabilitation Thorough assessment Definitive diagnosis * Ligament injury or instability can progress over time if undiagnosed or improperly treated FOCUS OF THERAPY Provide support with specialized orthoses Develop wrist stability Strengthen the stabilizing musculature Manage symptoms Return to function Modify work, ADL and leisure 2

3 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Nature of the development of the problem Traumatic tear or rupture of ligaments Gradual onset of symptoms in a lax, hypermobile wrist Degenerative process with gradual onset GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Stage of the wrist condition Stage of Healing Symptom Response an indicator of the capacity of the wrist to handle load At rest With activity With load GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Functional requirements and habits Role in the onset of the problem How impacted by the condition Previous treatment and efficacy Exercise Splints/supports Physical agents 3

4 PRECAUTIONS Beware of undiagnosed wrist pathology wrist sprain wrist pain Perform clinical wrist exam Localize pathology Facilitate referral to Hand Surgeon for definitive diagnosis PRECAUTIONS Remember: the provocative wrist maneuvers used to detect carpal instabiities are performed with motion combined with load Avoid: Repetitive wrist ROM Aggressive wrist stretching Generic wrist strengthening, e.g., wrist curls GUIDELINES In the absence of best practice guidelines: Observe established timetables for tissue healing in decision-making regarding Duration of immobilization Introduction of protected motion Application of gentle loading Return to function 4

5 General Goals of Rehabilitation Control of edema and pain Maintain ROM of uninvolved joints Achievement of functional ROM when healing permits based on patient need Preserve wrist stability Avoid activities and exercises that adversely load the wrist and undermine healing Return to prior level of functioning when healing permits if possible and not injurious to the health of the wrist Current Practice in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal instability Prosser, Herbert, LaStayo - J Hand Therapy 2007 Most used treatments Patient education Custom and prefabricated orthoses Isometric wrist exercises Current Practice in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal instability Most commonly used tests Scaphoid shift L-T ballottement TFCC and MC stress tests Prosser, Herbert, LaStayo - J Hand Therapy

6 EMERGING STRATEGIES Dart Throwers Motion Wrist ligament mechanoreceptors and ligamentomuscular reflexes Proprioception re-education Muscle loading and carpal alignment Graded motor imagery Dart-thrower motion (DTM) First described by Palmer et al 1985 as oblique wrist motion as that which occurs when throwing a dart. A plane in which wrist functional oblique motion occurs, specifically from radial extension to ulnar flexion Dart-thrower motion DTM is a common path of motion in many occupational, recreational and household activities. Performance and accuracy of many tasks is linked to DTM. Injury and surgery to the wrist alters normal kinematic coupling (DTM) and performance of functional tasks 6

7 What s known Dart throwers motion Scaphoid and lunate motion significantly less than with any other plane of wrist motion SLIL elongation is minimal Dart throwers motion Werner et al studied 9 variations of DTM to determine the specific DT plane of motion that minimized scaphoid and lunate motion Far less scaphoid and lunate motion in intermediate motions 15 extension, 15 radial deviation, 15 flexion, 15 ulnar deviation DTM is a safe and protected range of motion for postoperative radio-carpal surgeries Werner FW et al. JHS 29A, 3, 2004 What s not known When to introduce DTM after injury or surgery How to constrain the wrist along the DTM path* Specific DTM pattern for specific injuries & procedures Outcomes Dart Throwers Motion 7

8 DTM orthoses Modification of the Scaphoid Mobilization splint (*Flexible wrist splint) Flexible rods oriented to allow a DT pattern of motion (Lynn Miles modification) *Bora W, Skirven TM et al. JHS 1989 DTM splint design Hamish Anderson, OTR - Australia DTM splint design Lynne Feehan 8

9 Wrist ligament mechanoreceptors and ligamento-muscular reflexes (Hagert, Garcia-Elias) Examined differences in structural composition and presence of mechanoreceptors and nerve structures among wrist ligaments Found variations in composition and innervation of the ligaments studied Concluded that ligaments serve differential functions based on their composition Wrist ligament mechanoreceptors and ligamento-muscular reflexes (Hagert, Garcia-Elias) Wrist ligaments serve 2 functions Mechanical function to constrain and maintain carpal relationships Sensory function - to convey afferent information believed to play a role in dynamic stabilization of the wrist Sensory or proprioceptive function served by mechanoreceptors which are specialized neural end organs that convey physical stimuli to the CNS Wrist ligament mechanoreceptors and ligamento-muscular reflexes (Hagert, Garcia-Elias) Wrist ligamento-muscular reflex Stimulation of the SLIL ligament with EMG monitoring in the FCU, FCR, ECRB and ECRL Wrist extension produced a response in the FCR and FCU and then the ECRB and ECRL Wrist flexion produced a response in the ECRB then reciprocal activation of the FCR and FCU 9

10 Wrist ligament mechanoreceptors and ligamento-muscular reflexes (Hagert, Garcia-Elias) Wrist ligamento-muscular reflex A protective response of the antagonist muscle in response to impending injury and possibly damaging wrist positions Followed by subsequent co-contraction of the agonist and antagonist to provide dynamic stabilization of the wrist Wrist ligament mechanoreceptors and ligamento-muscular reflexes (Hagert, Garcia-Elias) The basis for wrist proprioception and neuro-muscular control Implication for rehabilitation Specific muscles may be targeted in the rehabilitation of specific ligament injuries Proprioception re-education may play an important role in the development of dynamic stability of the wrist Proprioception Rehabilitation Hagert, JHTH, 2010 Retraining of proprioception to improve dynamic stability of a joint Dynamic stability refers to the role of proprioception in regulating joint function Ligament injury or insufficiency may distort proprioception and adversely impact dynamic joint stability 10

11 Stages Proprioception Rehabilitation Hagert, JHTH, 2010 Basic Rehabilitation Proprioception awareness Joint position sense Kinesthesia Conscious neuromuscular rehabilitation Unconscious neuromuscular rehabilitation Proprioception re-education (Hagert) Basic Rehabilitation Initial rest and protection following injury Controlled motion exercises Pain & edema management Proprioception Awareness Promote conscious joint control 11

12 Joint Position Sense Perception of joint motion Kinesthesia (TTDPM) Conscious neuro-muscular rehab Therapeutic exercises Isometric Isokinetic Co-activation 12

13 Conscious Neuro-muscular Rehab Isotonic exercise Eccentric Concentric Unconscious neuro-muscular reeducation To develop the unconscious activation of muscles to restore joint stability and balance Reactive muscle activation Perturbation training Sensorimotor activation REACTIVE MUSCLE ACTIVATION Acceleration of the gyroscope by means of wrist rotation Random multidirectional forces Requires unconscious activation of wrist muscles to react unpredictably to maintain gyroscope rotation Stimulates proprioception Utility of the Powerball in the invigoration of the musculature of the forearm SA Balan, M Garcia-Elias, J Hand Surg (Eu)

14 Reactive muscle activation Requires unconscious activation of wrist muscles to maintain rotation or oscillation of the device Stimulates proprioception Perturbation Training Expose the joint to carefully controlled forces that destabilize enough to elicit an appropriate response without putting the joint at risk for further injury Rocker board Beach ball Perturbation Training 14

15 Plyometrics Muscle loading and carpal alignment (Garcia-Elias; Hagert) The contraction of specific muscles has an effect on carpal bone alignment This effect can be made use of in the rehabilitation for specific wrist ligament deficiencies Isometric ulnar deviation 15

16 Muscle loading and carpal alignment FCU contraction exerts an intrinsic pisiform boost which helps to achieve a more neutral carpal alignment and to reduce the clunk of MCI ECU contraction results in pulling or tightening of the SLIL Implication: avoid emphasis on ECU with SL injuries FCR contraction helpful with partial SLD FCU, APL, & ECRL DTM muscles serving a joint protective function; emphasize with S-L injuries Muscle loading and carpal alignment Unanswered questions What difference does the position of the forearm have on the specific muscle loading effects? How does the degree of ligament injury change the effect of specific muscle loading on carpal alignment? What about the combined loading of agonist and antagonist on carpal alignment? How to specifically apply this information in a rehabilitation program? Graded motor imagery A technique to positively influence cortical areas which are involved in neuro-muscular control Laterality training Mental imagery Mirror therapy 16

17 Graded motor imagery Mirror therapy Reflected motion of the uninvolved wrist creates an illusion of motion of the involved wrist Visual input of the observed movement is intended to positively influence cortical areas involved in the sensorimotor control of the involved wrist to improve motor performance Limited or lacking Practical advice: Clinical evidence? Follow established guidelines for tissue healing in treatment planning Duration of immobilization Introduction of motion Application of gentle loading Return to activity CLINICAL EVIDENCE? Emerging strategies Intuitive and careful application Critical evaluation Continuous monitoring of symptom response Case reports 17

18 CLINICAL EVIDENCE? The first step in the development of adequate neuromuscular rehabilitation programs for the enhancement of proprioception after wrist injury are case reports E. Hagert, J Hand Ther 2010 Midcarpal Instability Classification (Lichtman) Palmar midcarpal instability Dorsal midcarpal instability Extrinsic midcarpal instability CLASSIFICATION Dobyns, Linscheid, Wright CIND - instability of the PCR as a whole Radiocarpal CIND Midcarpal CIND Combined RC and MC CIND 18

19 PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Clinical Characteristics Volar sag on the ulnar side of the wrist Clunk with ulnar deviation in pronation PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Pathoanatomy Ligament laxity or disruption may result in palmar translation of distal carpal row volar flexed orientation of the proximal carpal row in neutral deviation PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Radiographic Evaluation Usually shows volar flexion of the proximal carpal row palmar translation of the distal carpal row 19

20 PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Pathomechanics Loss of intimate midcarpal joint contact: Loss of the smooth transition of the PCR from a flexed to extended position as the wrist moves from radial to ulnar deviation PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Pathomechanics When moving from radial to ulnar deviation: PCR stays in a flexed position DCR stays palmarly subluxed until the end range of ulnar deviation PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Pathomechanics A painful clunk occurs at the end range of ulnar deviation PCR snaps into extension DCR reduces from its palmarly subluxed position 20

21 Midcarpal Clunk PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Clinical evaluation Tenderness with palpation triquetral-hamate interval capito-lunate interval PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Midcarpal shift test Pronation, neutral wrist deviation Palmar pressure over the capitate Ulnarly deviate the wrist with simultaneous axial load 21

22 Midcarpal Shift Test MIDCARPAL SHIFT TEST GRADE PALMAR CLUNK TRANSLATION I None None II Minimal Minimum III Moderate Moderate IV Maximal Significant V Self-induced Self-induced PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Conservative Management Splinting Activity modification Symptom relieving measures/ modalities Careful exercise 22

23 PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Midcarpal Stabilization Splint Dorsally directed pressure on the pisiform (pisiform boost) reduces the ulnar volar sag of the wrist corrects the volar flexed position of the PCR Midcarpal Stabilization Splint SplintPattern Midcarpal Stabilization Splint Splint Fabrication 23

24 Midcarpal Stabilization Splint Splint Fabrication Attachment points over the pisiform and head of the ulna Midcarpal Stabilization Splint Splint Fabrication PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY Midcarpal Stabilization Splint Splint allows nearly full wrist extension, ulnar and radial deviation Wrist clunk is eliminated 24

25 MIDCARPAL SPLINT No splint With Splint MIDCARPAL STABILIZATION SPLINT Observations Grade I-IV : experienced pain relief and could wean from splint Grade V: require the splint to maintain pain relief and prevent wrist clunking PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY CONSERVATIVE THERAPY Strengthen the stabilizing musculature of the ulnar wrist ECU, FCU Modify work, ADL and leisure Manage symptoms 25

26 Conservative management: What not to do The pathomechanics of palmar midcarpal instability are reproduced with wrist motion under load. Standard exercises that involve motion under load, e.g., wrist curls with weights, may reproduce the pathomechanics of the wrist and can exacerbate symptoms PALMAR MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY CONSERVATIVE THERAPY What not to do Avoid aggressive wrist mobilization Avoid wrist curls or isotonic wrist strengthening Avoid repetitive putty squeezing especially in pronation MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Conservative management Exercise strategies Stable wrist position: supination Focus on the ECU and FCU, which together stabilize the ulnar wrist Isometric versus isotonic Use symptom response as a guide to the progression of activities and exercises 26

27 MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Conservative management Isometric ulnar deviation combined activity of the ECU and FCU Together stabilize the ulnar carpus Isometric ulnar deviation MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Dynamic Muscle stabilization Activation of Hypothenars and ECU reproduces the normal joint contact forces in the absence of adequate ligament support Training may help to stabilize the wrist through dynamic muscle support 27

28 MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Dynamic Muscle stabilization (Lichtman) MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Case study 16 year old female violinist with lax wrists MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Conservative management Case study Onset of pain associated with violin play Progressed with symptoms during other activities DX: Midcarpal instability/laxity + midcarpal shift test VISI on xray 28

29 MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Case Study Radiographic findings: VISI deformity MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Case Study Measures DASH Patient rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) Canadian Occupational Performance measure (COPM) MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Case Study Intervention Midcarpal stabilization splint Isometric ECU & FCU exercise in supination Muscle stabilization exercise 29

30 Midcarpal stabilization splint Wearing schedule During play When painful Goal of splint Reduce pain especially during violin play Allow improved function MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Case Study Results PRWE: Reduction of pain by half with splint use COPM: Significant improvement in performance of activities and satisfaction with splint use DASH: Decrease in DASH score reflects less impairment with splint use MIDCARPAL INSTABILITY: Case Study Results Carpal alignment improved with splint 30

31 Effect of splint on ROM 5 less wrist extension and radial/ulnar deviation 20 less wrist flexion Stabilizing effect of splint Reduces the volar sag of the wrist Grip strength increased by 5-10 pounds with splint Reduced pain; improved performance Hypermobility Syndrome Case Report 41 year old RD biostatistician with hypermobility syndrome and bilateral wrist pain and laxity Gradual onset, no precipitating incident, right wrist involved first and one year later the left 31

32 Hypermobility Syndrome Case Report Symptoms - cracking and grinding at first progressing to pain with almost all activities Gave up tennis, piano, gardening and cooking Maintained employment which involved almost constant keyboard use Hypermobility Syndrome Case Report Previous Treatment Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications; chiropractic treatments; wrist splinting and general therapy all with limited to no benefit Evaluation ROM WNL both upper extremities with extreme hypermobility Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Wrists generalized multi-directional hypermobility voluntarily dislocates the DRUJs and radio-carpal joints midcarpal clunk with testing ulnar sag both wrists 32

33 Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Unstable, subluxed DRUJ and wrist with hand resting lightly on a table surface Wrist and DRUJ stabilized on table surface Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Grip testing Right 90 lbs. Left 80 lbs. Pinch strength Right lateral pinch 12 lbs. Left lateral pinch 15 lbs. Right tip pinch 10 lbs. Left tip pinch 5 lbs Motor function & Sensibility WNL Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Diagnostic imaging Radiographs 2 screws in shaft of well healed 5th metacarpal fracture; no other abnormalities noted; MRI small TFCC abnormality left wrist Genetics consultation Diagnosis Familial joint instability (an inherited, ill defined condition with no specific genetic testing available and no known cause) 33

34 Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Initial focus on the left wrist Midcarpal stabilization splint to address ulnar volar sag For use during the day particularly during keyboard activity Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Response to splint Used the left midcarpal splint for keyboard and driving and was able to get much further into the work day without feeling pain Trial of soft splints Right wrist Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Symptomatic over the S-L and L-T interval with significant laxity; ulnar volar sag apparent Dart throwers motion splint (H. Anderson; Lyn Miles) 34

35 Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Exercise Provided isometric wrist exercise in all planes to develop global wrist stability Performed in neutral rotation to reduce gravity effects Isometric ulnar deviation with forearm neutral pictured. Isometric wrist flexion with forearm neutral 35

36 Isometric wrist extension with forearm neutral Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Grip exercise with partial fist and wrist down by the side to enhance neutral wrist posture Arm down by the side reported by patient to be a symptom relieving posture for his left wrist (perhaps because this is a gravity neutral position) Grip exercise to result in light isometric wrist strengthening Incomplete fist is intentional to limit compressive carpal load (in contrast to a clenched fist which may result in greater carpal loading and may provoke the carpal bone shifting and symptoms that he describes) Grip force intentionally limited to prevent provocation of symptoms 36

37 Weight bearing exercise with neutral forearm rotation and near neutral wrist position to stimulate joint proprioception without wrist/druj subluxation Exercise upgraded with slight variation of wrist position from neutral Position sense exercise patient matches left wrist position to right with vision occluded 37

38 Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report Job modification Ergonomic keyboard to position carpus and DRUJ in gravity neutral position during keyboarding Dart Throwers Splint Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report - observations Careful and neutral positioning of the wrist and forearm while performing the exercises is critical Regular review of the patient s manner of performing the exercise is essential Bilaterality of instability requires adaptation of exercise methods 38

39 Hyper-mobility Syndrome Case Report - observations Minimal resistance and avoiding wrist loading with motion prevents shifting of carpal bones in this case which is characterized by general instability The process takes a long time and requires consistency on the part of the patient 39